Sleepers at Quarterback
Jordan Love, Green Bay (at Pittsburgh)
Love has underachieved in fantasy over the last two games, but some of that is because Josh Jacobs has scored twice on the ground in each of those contests. More of those scores could come through the air this week against a Steelers pass defense that just got embarrassed by Joe Flacco. Christian Watson is on track to return this week to add another vertical threat and open up more room for Romeo Doubs and Tucker Kraft to operate, in addition to diverting some of the deep safety's attention from Matthew Golden. Love could have multiple long touchdowns in this one.
Andy Dalton, Carolina (vs Buffalo) **Monitor Bryce Young Status**
The Panthers have characterized Bryce Young's status due to an ankle injury as "day-to-day", so there's still a chance he'll start against Buffalo. It's more likely he'll sit, since the injury was severe enough to force him out of the game on Sunday. Dalton threw for at least 220 yards and two scores in three of the five games he played in last season, and that was without Tetairoa McMillan. The Bills have struggled to stop the run this season but should be focused on Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard with two weeks to prepare for this game. Dalton is a safe high-floor play if you need a streamer or QB2/Superflex from the wire.
Tyrod Taylor/Justin Fields, NY Jets (at Cincinnati)
How much risk can you tolerate? We don't even know which quarterback will pilot this Jets "offense", but we do know that the Bengals haven't held a team under 27 points since their Week 1 win over their current quarterback Joe Flacco, as the Browns quarterback. Is that because they faced decent to good, even great offenses, or because they can't really stop anyone? Without Garrett Wilson, it may end up that the Bengals D/ST was a better play than any part of the Jets offense, but Flacco could put enough points on the board to force this offense to open up in garbage time. We've seen Fields post great numbers in garbage time once this year, and Taylor posted a very good fantasy line in his one start this year despite looking bad when he relieved Fields last week against Carolina. Consider the starter a dice roll as a streamer/QB2/Superflex.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta (vs Miami)
Before Quinshon Judkins scored all three touchdowns on the ground against the Dolphins last week on a windy afternoon in Cleveland, the Dolphins had allowed at least two scores to every quarterback they had faced this season. That includes Justin Fields and Bryce Young. Penix has been a major disappointment for fantasy, but he did have a strong game against a weak Washington pass defense, and we know he has talented players at the other end of his targets. Penix won't throw much in this one, but it could be for big gains and even a long score or two against a Dolphins team that is swirling the drain.
Sleepers at Running Back
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta (vs Miami)
Allgeier has gotten at least 10 carries and a rushing score in every Falcons win this season. They are facing one of the worst teams in the NFL this week. This one is elementary, although Allgeier did end up only touching the ball twice in a 30-0 loss to an 0-2 Carolina team that was decisively outplayed in their two losses.
Woody Marks, Houston (vs San Francisco)
We saw in Week 7 that when the Texans trail, we're likely to see a lot more Woody Marks. Maybe they won't fall as far behind the 49ers at home as they did the Seahawks on the road, but the 49ers offense is going to be a tougher out with George Kittle back. It's certainly on the more likely side of the range of outcomes. The 49ers have allowed 17 catches for 139 yards and two scores to running backs in the last three games, so Marks should have an acceptable floor as a flex play in PPR leagues this week.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago (at Baltimore) **Monitor Lamar Jackson Status**
Lamar Jackson is going to affect the projection of just about every player in the Bears/Ravens game. If Jackson plays, both passing games get a boost. If Jackson sits, then the Bears are much more likely to be able to establish their surging running game and control this contest. If even Jackson plays, Monangai is still a possible flex or bye RB2 coming off his best game of the season. The Bears' running game will succeed against a shorthanded Ravens defensive line; the only question is by how much.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee (at Indianapolis)
If you have to dig deep this week, consider Spears on the fast track in Indianapolis. He should have opportunities in garbage time as a receiver and a space player. The snaps and targets did tilt back in Tony Pollard's favor last week, and Pollard is a viable flex or bye RB2 as well, but Spears is more explosive, and he scored twice against the Colts in Indianapolis last season.
Brashard Smith, Kansas City (vs Washington) **Monitor Hunt Status**
Kareem Hunt missed part of Week 7 with a knee injury, and he was out of practice on Thursday with the injury. He could rally to play on Monday night, but a Hunt absence is not the only path to value for Smith against Washington. With Jayden Daniels ruled out, the game is much more likely to be a lopsided win for the Chiefs, and we saw last week that Smith is the garbage-time back. Smith is also a potential playmaker in the passing game and could find more room to create against a defense that now has to deal with Rashee Rice.
Ollie Gordon II, Miami (at Atlanta)
For the truly desperate, Gordon gives you an option that is definitely on the waiver wire in a lot of leagues. The Dolphins are a sinking ship right now, and the running game is the only life preserver. Gordon's physical presence as an inside runner can contrast with De'Von Achane's speed to keep the Falcons' run defense off balance and keep them from dismantling Tua Tagovailoa, who has fallen apart in each of the last two games. Ameer Abdullah (garbage-time back up), Tyler Badie, and Jerome Ford (passing down backs who could play a lot in the second half) are other desperation plays that could hit this week.
Sleepers at Wide Receiver
Jaylin Noel, Houston (vs San Francisco) **Monitor Collins/Kirk Status**
Noel didn't lead the Texans' receivers in snaps after Nico Collins went down, but he was their most productive wide receiver. The 49ers actually dialed up a good pass rush against Michael Penix Jr. last week without Nick Bosa, and the Texans' offensive line isn't giving C.J. Stroud much help. They will have to rely on the short passing game and attack the middle of the field, where Tatum Bethune is replacing Fred Warner. That sounds like a good recipe for Noel to be a top target, assuming Collins and Christian Kirk are both out again this week.
Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay (at New Orleans)
Johnson will move into the starting lineup with Mike Evans likely on the shelf until sometime after Thanksgiving, and maybe until Christmas. The speedy and hiccup quick seventh-round pick has scored in each of the last two weeks, which are the two games that he has played more than 36% of the snaps. The Saints gave up three downfield passing scores to Drake Maye in the Superdome two weeks ago. Baker Mayfield is likely to hit on at least one or two, and Johnson has a decent chance to be on the receiving end of those passes.
Xavier Legette, Carolina (vs Buffalo)
Legette is coming off his best game as a pro in Week 7. He made plays with both Bryce Young and Andy Dalton, and more importantly, Dalton looked to him repeatedly with the game on the line, and Legette came through. Dalton also hooked up with Legette for touchdowns in three of the five games he started last season. Consider Legette a solid WR3/Flex option this week.
Chimere Dike, Tennessee (at Indianapolis) **Monitor Calvin Ridley Status**
Dike's role was expanded to include more downfield routes in the largest change to the Titans offense after head coach Brian Callahan was fired. All the fourth rookie did was catch four passes for 70 yards and a score. Cam Ward looked very comfortable throwing to his fellow first-year player, and if the Titans are smart, they will increase Dike's involvement in the offense, whether Calvin Ridley returns from his hamstring or not. The Colts are likely to win this one easily, which could create garbage-time conditions that are conducive to Dike's fantasy prospects this week.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta (vs Miami)
Mooney returning to take some of the downfield targets from Drake London was a bummer for London fantasy teams, but it did shine a light on a potential sleeper wide receiver for Week 8. Mooney only needs one deep ball from Michael Penix Jr. to connect against a beleaguered Dolphins defense to make your week as a WR3/Flex play
Marvin Mims Jr., Troy Franklin, Denver (vs Dallas)
Opponents have to air it out to hang with the Cowboys this season. Before last week's game, when Washington lost their quarterback and played without their top two wide receivers, Dallas allowed 12 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers in the previous five games. Maybe Courtland Sutton will have a multi-touchdown game, but if not, Mims and Franklin are the next most likely to score, and both have the speed to score from distance against a risk-taking Cowboys secondary.
Sleepers at Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland (at New England) **Monitor Njoku Status**
We'll be waiting to see if David Njoku is returning from his knee injury this week before getting a full read on Fannin's value this week, but he's going to be a viable bye-week, tight-end play in any event. He led the Browns in targets last week in less-than-ideal conditions for passing and wasn't a bust, albeit with Njoku sitting. Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel is going to have to pass a lot to keep up with Drake Maye, so the only question is just how high Fannin's floor and ceiling will be this week.
Mason Taylor, NY Jets (at Cincinnati)
The answer to "Which Steelers tight end should I play?" last week was all of them (well, not Connor Heyward). In true Oprah fashion, each of the top three Steelers tight ends scored, and Pat Freiermuth scored twice and went over 100 receiving yards. Taylor has been the top receiving tight end for the Jets despite being a rookie, and he has already posted two big games in losses with Justin Fields at quarterback. Tyrod Taylor would be better for the pass offense, so either way, Taylor is in consideration if you need a tight end this week.
Dalton Schultz, Houston (vs San Francisco) **Monitor Collins/Kirk Status**
Schultz has been C.J. Stroud's favorite target not named Nico Collins, which is especially important because the team might not have Collins this week after he suffered a concussion Monday night. Stroud has thrown 28 balls to Schultz over the last four games, and Schultz has caught 24 of them, and no fewer than five in any of those games. He'll also be operating in the middle of the field, where the 49ers are missing their defensive leader, Fred Warner. Kyle Pitts Sr. caught seven passes for 62 yards against San Francisco last week on a night when not much else was working for the Falcons offense.
Noah Fant, Cincinnati (vs NY Jets)
Fant should have a lot of room to operate with the Jets likely focused on neutralizing Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Flacco's four targets to Fant last week turned into four catches, 44 yards, and a touchdown. The Jets have already allowed six touchdowns to tight ends this season. Fant should have a good chance to make it seven, or even eight.
